2003 Round 2

Not a bad weekend all round from the West London boys. The Wildcats are now the only undefeated team in the competition and are sitting on top of the ladder, as are the Raiders who are undefeated and above the City Swans by percentage.

Unfortunately on Saturday the Emus were defeated by by Regents Park by about 9 goals, but it was still a good effort from the guys who are mainly new and will continue to improve week by week. Unfortunately the Emus lost big Andy Stephenson to a hamstring injury after he had been dominating early in the game, and this allowed to Regents Park side to pinch a break going into half time, one which the Emus struggled to peg back. Better players for the day were big Parso in just his second game of AFL, Dave Hulsman, Greg Newitt, Steele and Tommo.

Yesterday, the Raiders and Wildcats took on Wandsworth at Clapham Common, with the Raiders setting the scene for the day by eventually overcoming a determined Clapham Demons and winning by 8 goals. After a good effort into the wind in the first quarter, the boys let themselves down by failing to kick a goal with the breeze in the second term. However another good effort into the breeze was finally finished off when the boys piled on 5 in the last quarter. The back line was brilliant all day, with big, bad, bustling Dave Bryant on fire and Bleaks, Gus and Greig Codd continually repelling the ball and spring boarding our attacks. Beny Statton was sensational in the ruck all day and as usual Dan Morrison knocked up getting touches and Madz also had plenty of the ball in his first game. Jack Jess kicked three goals in the last quarter to finish the day with 4 as our major contributor.

The Wildcats got off to a very slow start, failing to kick a goal with the wind and allowing Wandsworth to kick three against it. After a decent spray from Rosco at quarter time, the boys finally started to get into gear. Dicko was controlling the ruck and Jenko was starting to gather plenty of the ball. Gools was brilliant at full back rebounding anything that came near him. We were playing our best football into the wind and with only 17 players after Slates had been sent off (thanks for the resulting fine and contribution to the footy trip too Slates).

We finally started to get on top in the third quarter and and hit the front through some good team work. Unfortunately young Azza broke his nose and ankle just before three quarter time meaning a lengthy delay in the game whilst we waited for the ambulance. We wish Azza all the best and hope for a speedy recovery for him.

The last quarter was a tense and dour struggle in the conditions but the Wildcats eventually ran out winners over their arch enemies by 13 points. Apart from those already mentioned, Chris Meehan did a great stopping job for us in the middle, and Ryan Crozier (the other Dogga) ended up kicking four of our seven goals.

We've got the week off for the long weekend this week, and then we're back into it with a triple header down at Wimbledon. Hopefully with a few blokes to come back in a couple of weeks, we'll come away with all three sides getting the chocolates.